Mosaic plaque and method of forming



March 20, 1962 E. H. coLvlN ETAI.

MOSAIC PLAQUE AND METHOD OF FORMING pri 2,2, 1960 @lf/2,

Filed A March 20, 1962 E. H. coLvlN ETAL 3,025,625

MOSAIC PLAQUE AND METHOD OF FORMING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1960 United dStates Patent Oiitice 3,@Z25 Patented Mar. 20, 1962 3,025,625 l MOSAIC PLAQUE AND METHQD 0F FORMING Ellie Hayes Colvin and Ina Loretta Colvin, Austin, Tex.,

assignors to Texas Mosaic C0., Austin, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Apr. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 24,040 3 Claims. (Cl. 41--23) This invention relates to a mosaic plaque and method of forming. The invention is particularly useful in the forming of a plaque through the use of marble chips, or the like, which give a soft earth color to the finished mosaic.

Y The use of marble chips having their natural colors in the forming of a mosaic, is particularly desired because the natural color of different types of marble `blend together in the mosaic to give a soft earth color which is very pleasing, while at the same time the chips present irregular crystal-like facets which add to the attractiveness of the mosaic. Such chips, however, present a serious problem in mosaic formation because they are heavy, and the edges ofthe chips are fragile and easily damaged and the construction of the mosaic must be such as to prevent cracking or breaking off of segments or the shattering during shipment or handling of the edges of the chips.

We have discovered that by employing a sequence of steps in which a iiat or semiflat braid is anchored independently upon a rigid board in the following of a design, and then, after the adhesive bonding the braid has dried, adhesively securing thel chips within the areas between the` braid, an eifective support for the marble chips is accomplished without damaging the points and shelllike edges of the chips, While at the same time iirmiy supporting the composite bodies of chips upon the rigid board. By employing the sequence of operations which will be described in detail hereinafter, the chips are secured in place to form a mosaic while providing for the delicate edges of Ithe chips a support within the braid and while also providing a reinforcement for the plaque through the medium of the braid extending at a plurality of angles through the plaque.

An object of the invention is to provide a plaque and a method and means for forming it which will have the qualities above described. A further object is to provide a plaque and the means for forming it so that delicate chips may be securely anchored in sharp outline and relier" and protected against chipping, cracking or breaking. A still further object is to provide a method for accurately forming a design of marble or rock chips to provide a finished mosaic which can be handled and shipped without damage to the mosaic and without the chipping and breaking of the chip edges. Yet another object is to provide a kit with the component materials whereby the purchaser may accurately form the material including the marble chips, etc., into a iinished accurate mosaic. Other spcciiic objects and advantages will appear as the speciiication proceeds.

The invention is shown, in an illustrative embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which- FEGURE l is a top plan view of a finished mosaic plaque; FIG. 2, a top plan view of the board and design imprinted thereon and upon which 'the plaque is to be formed; FIG. 3, an enlarged detail sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 3 of FIG. l; FlG. 4, a broken top plan View of the upper portion of the design as shown in FlG. 2 and with the braid being secured thereto; and FIG. 5, a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the process in an advanced stage with a portion of the chips added to the design.

In one embodiment of the invention, we employ a board upon which the design is imprinted. Preferably,

the board is provided ywith side Walls l1 and end walls 12, and, if desired, may form a container for the goods to be employed, such as transparent plastic bags, containing the different colored marble chips, adhesive, braid, etc. In other words, the container formed by the board lil and the Walls lll and l2 provide a convenient receptacle in which the component parts and the materials used in forming the plaque may be carried.

In the illustration given in FIG. 2, the board it) is irnprinted with a design Which is indicated generally by the numeral 13. For example, the imprinting may be done with lead-zinc plates, theV board being placed on top. of the plate and run through a printing press to provide the desired design. It will be understood that any means for forming the imprinted design may be used. In addi'- tion to the design outline, the imprinting will also4 include directions as to the placement of the different colors of chips, etc., in the spaces between the design lines and for the background. The lines may be single lines for indicating a single braid, or double lines for indicating double braid. ln practicing the process, the fabricator tirst secures the braid i4 along the lines of the design, preferably working with short lengths of braid. Glue is applied along the line to which a length of braid is `to be secured, the braid applied and preferably held in position until the adhesive hardens. We prefer to use a sharp instrument for cutting the braid, as, for example, la single edge razor blade, and we prefer to cut the braid at an angle to produce sharp corners. In order to prevent fraying of the braid in short pieces, the ends of the braid may be coated slightly with glue and the coated braid then cut through to form sharp corners.

We prefer to use a woven braid which is tlat or semiflat so that it may be anchored effectively to the board l0 and later will provide a substantial support for the added chips While also providing a resilient and flexible body for receiving and supporting the delicate edges of the chips.

After the braid has been secured in position to cover the lines indicated in the outline 13, we then begin to apply the marble chips in the areas extending between the tape portions 14. This is done by selecting `a specific small area and covering the area with a transparent glue which has a thickness preferably of a dirne, and taking care to prevent the glue from running over the braid. The marble chips having the color designated for the particular area are then applied and the chips patted gently into position, keeping the marble chips ush with the braid. We prefer to start from the outside of the glued area and work toward the inside, bringing the outside or border chips and their edges into intermeshed contact with the edges of the braid. The area .is examined to make sure that there are no places Where the board shows through. After the marble has been anchored in position within the various appropriate color areas, the glue is allowed to set and the picture turned over to dump or remove loose marble from the picture. After the picture has been completed, the background about the line 13 is filled in with appropriate colored chips and the frame again inverted to remove loose particles.

The mosaic structure is allowed to dry thoroughly and then several coats of clear lacquer are applied to the base of the mosaic to bring out the natural color of the marble.

With the structure shown, the side walls 11 and end Walls l2 not only serve as a container but also, if desired, as side panels for the finished mosaic, and for this purpose prior to forming of the mosaic such panels may be stained to the desired color for the plaque. The finished mosaic is preferably equipped at its back with a hanger for supporting the plaque upon ya wall.

FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate progressive steps employed in the process. In the segment shown in FIG. 4, the braid 14 is shown being applied to the design, the imprint of the design 13 being shown prior to the application of the braid and the line 13 is shown partly covered by a transparent glue 15. By cutting the braid at desired points with sharp edges, it is possible to provide an extremely accurate covering of the design line. In FIG. 5, the braid 14 is extended about the area and a glue body 16 for securing the chips 17 is indicated.

As shown best in FIG. 3, the chips 17 are secured by glue 16 to the board 10 and about the braid 14. The edges of the chips penetrate into the braid so as to be protected thereby, while at the same time the top of the braid is exposed to provide an even demarcation line between the areas of colored chips.

While we prefer to employ marble chips because of their natural soft earth colors and eiectiveness in the design, other rock chips which may be colored or dyed may be likewise employed in the practice of the process.

As above stated, the plaque may be formed by a professional artist or skilled person, or it may be formed by unskilled persons following the directions outlined on the board and employing the materials included in the kit such as adhesive, braid,bags of chips, etc., which may be secured within the container formed by the members 10, 11 and 12.

The finished mosaic, even when it consists of thin marble chips with sharp thin edges, is nevertheless secured, through the interweaving of the braid, against breakage, cracking, etc., during handling and shipment.

While, in the foregoing specication, we have set forth a specific structure and procedure in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be understood that such details of structure and procedure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. In a mosaic plaque, comprising a rigid board base bearing a design outline having lines of demarcation therein, textile braid over said outline lines on the board forming spaces therebetween, adhesive anchoring the braid to the board, adhesive on said board in the spaces between said braid and about said braid, and rock chips covering said spaces and anchored by said adhesive therebetween, with the edges of the chips bordering said braid projecting into said braid.

2. A mosaic plaque, comprising a rigid board provided with sides and bearing a design imprinted thereon and providing spaced lines, textile braid cut into lengths and anchored over lines of said design, adhesive securing said braid to said board, a separate body of adhesive on said board about said braid, marble chips of one color covering said last-mentioned adhesive on one side of said braid, and marble chips of a different color covering said adhesive on the other side of said braid, the chips bordering said braid having their edges intermeshed with said braid.

3. In a method for forming a marble chip mosaic in natural colors in a rigid base board, the steps of imprinting a ligure outline on said board, applying adhesive along said outline, pressing lengths of flexible textile braid upon said outline in contact with said adhesive, drying said adhesive, applying adhesive in the spaces about said braid, pressing marble chips in segregated colors in areas about said braid and with the edges of the chips intermeshed with said braid, and drying said adhesive.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ward Apr. 3, 1917 Crump May l, 1917 

